By Edward Chaykovsky
As widely reported, Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya (39-6-30KOs), 42-years-old, is considering to return to the ring. De La Hoya has been retired since getting stopped by Manny Pacquiao in 2008.
If De La Hoya decides to return, he would fight at the junior middleweight limit of 154-pounds.
He feels very confident that he can still compete at the highest level against the best possible opponents in the weight class.
“I know if I feel comfortable in my weight class, which is 154. I strongly feel that nobody can beat me at that weight class,” De La Hoya told USA Today
De La Hoya ruled out a potential fight with Golden Boy's biggest star, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez - stating - “he scares me with his power.”
De La Hoya says he was inspired by fighters like Juan Manuel Marquez and Bernard Hopkins, who fought well beyond their best years.
“It gives you a sense of, you know, I can do this too. When you think about Juan Manuel Marquez, who is what, 41, 42 years old and still going strong. He has more wear and tear on his body and how can he do it, and why am I retired?
“I think about Bernard Hopkins, who I was with all weekend in Canada, he’s 50 and going strong. I’m a fighter who, yes, hasn’t been in the ring in a long time, but I haven’t taken any punishment.”